Ecologist, Ashwell, Hertfordshire

Csa Environmental; Ashwell; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual profit-related bonus

Pension contributions

Job summary

CSA Environmental is seeking an Ecologist to join our Ashwell, Hertfordshire team. You will conduct UKHab baseline surveys, perform data searches, review planning policies, and prepare ecological reports alongside a collaborative team of ecologists.

The role offers hybrid working with some evening and overnight survey commitments, a clear career development path, and a supportive environment with CPD and progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Degree in ecology or biology (2:1 or above desirable)
• Some experience of UKHab and protected species surveys
• Developing botanical skills
• Working knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation
• Good written and verbal communication
• Confident with MS Office; willingness to develop QGIS skills
• Well-organised, collaborative and adaptable
• Willingness to undertake evening surveys and occasional overnight stays
• Full UK driving licence and own vehicle (insured for business use)
• Qualifying or Associate membership of CIEEM (or actively working toward it)
• At least one personal protected species survey licence (e.g. bats, dormice or others)
• Interest in developing a technical specialism (e.g. ornithology or botany)
• Awareness of Biodiversity Net Gain and the Statutory BNG metric

Responsibilities

• Undertaking UKHab baseline field surveys, with and without support/input from other ecologists in the team
• Undertaking desktop data searches for biological records/information and discussions with nature conservation consultees, as required
• Obtaining and reviewing local plans, planning policies and other relevant policy information, and developing a basic working knowledge of the planning system
• Preparing Preliminary Ecological Appraisal reports using our standard framework and applying standard CIEEM evaluation criteria, for final review by a Senior/Associate Ecologist
• Undertaking protected species surveys, dependent on personal experience, and providing support on surveys with our other ecologists
• Hold at least one personal survey licence, and demonstrating progress towards obtaining further licences
• Preparing reports following protected species surveys for review/completion by a Senior/Associate Ecologist
• Interacting and communicating with clients and other contacts in a professional and responsible manner at all times, across telephone, written and electronic communications
• Working professionally with all colleagues and supporting the Senior/Associate Ecologists as required, including a reasonable contribution to general administration work
• Assisting with the training and professional development of junior colleagues
• Assisting with the preparation and implementation of EPS and other licence applications
• Becoming familiar with and using QGIS and other graphics packages used by CSA, to produce simple maps and plans suitable for external use
• Demonstrating and developing an understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain, including associated legislation and best-practice guidance, along with a working knowledge of the Statutory BNG metric and developing QGIS skills to measure habitat areas and populate the metric
• Undertaking additional work outside of normal working hours, as reasonably required by specific survey needs and company workloads, on a par with the other ecologists (regular dusk and occasional dawn bat surveys, overnight newt surveys, etc.). At peak times this may involve 2–3 nights in a week (not including weekends)
• Playing an active role in organising work and survey planning, to benefit the smooth running of the team
• Complying with all CSA Health and Safety procedures in the course of your work, including consideration for the safety of others where leading a survey or site visit

Job description

We’re looking for an Ecologist to join our friendly and highly skilled team in Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

CSA Environmental is an independent, multidisciplinary consultancy of 85 people across five offices. Our Ashwell team of 14 ecologists form part of a wider team of 50+ ecologists across the business that have built a strong reputation for providing clear, reliable ecological advice, and for encouraging clients to go beyond standard expectations.

We are proud to hold the Great Place to Work certification (2026), independently awarded based on our team’s own feedback. It reflects what we’ve always believed: that good work comes from people who feel valued, trusted and supported to grow.

Ecology is not about compliance, it’s increasingly the discipline that shapes how development land is planned, designed and valued. At CSA, we take that seriously. We actively encourage clients to look beyond mandatory requirements and to think about what genuine long-term biodiversity improvement looks like on their sites. That ambition runs through our project work, our habitat bank schemes, and the advice we give at every project stage.

What you’ll be doing

• Undertaking UKHab baseline field surveys, with and without support/input from other ecologists in the team
• Undertaking desktop data searches for biological records/information and discussions with nature conservation consultees, as required
• Obtaining and reviewing local plans, planning policies and other relevant policy information, and developing a basic working knowledge of the planning system
• Preparing Preliminary Ecological Appraisal reports using our standard framework and applying standard CIEEM evaluation criteria, for final review by a Senior/Associate Ecologist
• Undertaking protected species surveys, dependent on personal experience, and providing support on surveys with our other ecologists
• Hold at least one personal survey licence, and demonstrating progress towards obtaining further licences
• Preparing reports following protected species surveys for review/completion by a Senior/Associate Ecologist
• Interacting and communicating with clients and other contacts in a professional and responsible manner at all times, across telephone, written and electronic communications
• Working professionally with all colleagues and supporting the Senior/Associate Ecologists as required, including a reasonable contribution to general administration work
• Assisting with the training and professional development of junior colleagues
• Assisting with the preparation and implementation of EPS and other licence applications
• Becoming familiar with and using QGIS and other graphics packages used by CSA, to produce simple maps and plans suitable for external use (e.g. site location plans, habitat plans)
• Demonstrating and developing an understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain, including associated legislation and best-practice guidance, along with a working knowledge of the Statutory BNG metric and developing QGIS skills to measure habitat areas and populate the metric
• Undertaking additional work outside of normal working hours, as reasonably required by specific survey needs and company workloads, on a par with the other ecologists (regular dusk and occasional dawn bat surveys, overnight newt surveys, etc.). At peak times this may involve 2–3 nights in a week (not including weekends)
• Playing an active role in organising work and survey planning, to benefit the smooth running of the team
• Complying with all CSA Health and Safety procedures in the course of your work, including consideration for the safety of others where leading a survey or site visit

About you

We’re looking for a motivated, conscientious ecologist with a practical, solutions-focused approach and a genuine interest in doing ecology well.

• Degree in ecology or biology (2:1 or above desirable)
• Some experience of UKHab and protected species surveys
• Developing botanical skills
• Working knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation
• Good written and verbal communication
• Confident with MS Office; willingness to develop QGIS skills
• Well-organised, collaborative and adaptable
• Willingness to undertake evening surveys and occasional overnight stays
• Full UK driving licence and own vehicle (insured for business use)
• Qualifying or Associate membership of CIEEM (or actively working toward it)
• At least one personal protected species survey licence (e.g. bats, dormice or others)
• Interest in developing a technical specialism (e.g. ornithology or botany)
• Awareness of Biodiversity Net Gain and the Statutory BNG metric

If you don’t meet every point here but have strong foundations and transferable skills, we’d still like to hear from you.

What we offer

Salary and contract

• Ecologist: £30-36K – depending on experience
• Permanent, full-time contract

Flexibility

• Hybrid working, up to 2 days per week from home
• Flexible working around core hours
• Annual profit-related and performance bonus
• Overtime pay for out-of-hours survey work
• Pension contributions that increase with length of service
• Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance

Leave

• 25 days annual leave (to include 3 days for Christmas shutdown)
• Rising incrementally to 30 days over 10 years

Development and progression

• Supported career progression. Promotion from within is a genuine priority at CSA, and we invest in developing the people already in our team
• Generous CPD and external training budget
• Career development aligned with the CIEEM Competency Framework
• Paid CIEEM membership and EPS class licence fees

Team and culture

• A team of 14 ecologists within the Hertfordshire, Ashwell-based office, alongside our landscape and masterplanning teams, with strong cross-office connections across all five CSA locations
• Annual company and ecology team events, plus volunteering days
• Family-friendly policies
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first-aiders

CSA Environmental is built on collaboration, mutual respect and continuous learning. People share knowledge generously, across disciplines as well as within them. Working alongside landscape architects, heritage consultants, masterplanners and arboriculturists doesn’t just make projects better. It makes ecologists better.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds